Sunflower Head Series 1973

Ruth Vollmer created the Sunflower Head Series with graphite on paper. The spiraling composition draws the eye into the center of the sunflower head. The artist uses the simple materials of graphite and paper to build layers of tone and texture, creating a subtle three-dimensionality. Her engagement with mathematical forms reflects a deep interest in geometry and the patterns found in nature. The repetitive nature of the drawing process, meticulously shading each lozenge, speaks to a labor-intensive approach. This resonates with the work of artisans and craftspeople, whose dedication to their materials and processes often goes unacknowledged in traditional art history. Vollmer's series prompts us to consider the value of time, skill, and the handmade. It challenges the conventional hierarchy that separates art from craft, inviting us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of everyday materials and processes.